The Spanish Attractions

Spain is famous for its Semana Santa or Holy development traditions week, and if you're planning a trip to Spain for the week before Easter, you will find yourself in the midst of these extraordinary festivals. Spanish participants take part in a series of bizarre ritual apparently dating from medieval times and beyond.

Eerie dresses

The festival of Semana Santa Spanish has different traditions in different regions but throughout the country, participants are remarkable for their dramatic interest to research medieval-style robes of penitence, or "Nazarenes."

The dresses are very striking because of their hoods, which have a tapered end used to conceal the face, and sometimes a long coat. Ironically, these dresses have been the basis for the traditional uniform of members of the Ku Klux Klan in the United States, a very anti-Catholic organization.

These strange-looking robes and hoods can the Spanish holidaymakers feel like they had just stepped back in time, and they have a very long tradition. In medieval times, penitents wear hoods so they could demonstrate their penance while keeping their identities secret.

Penitent accessories

Many participants also carry candles or wooden crosses, and some barefoot walk or carry shackles and chains on their feet. Overall, these accessories give a truly electric atmosphere at this festival Spanish, which can add a spiritual dimension to a holiday Spanish.

If you're planning a holiday custom in Spain at Easter, be sure to include a visit to an area with some of the most famous processions, so you can take part in this remarkable series of Spanish festivals.

Seville

Seville has probably some of the most elaborate processions for Semana Santa festival. Spanish holidaymakers can watch the procession of antique wooden carvings, or "pasos", scenes of the events that occurred between the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and his burial, or images of the Virgin Mary showing contained pain of torture and murder of his son are carried through the streets.

They usually weigh over a ton, and carried into the necks of members of religious orders that organize each procession. These artistic masterpieces are a great way to get a taste of the county's artistic heritage Spanish holiday.

A band may accompany the group, playing funereal religious hymns or "Marchas written for the occasion. Some processions are silent with no musical accompaniment.

Malaga

If your own holidays in Spain, includes a trip to Malaga, you will be able to see processions of huge images of the Passion on huge floats decorated, some with more than 5000 kilograms carried by over 250 people. Penitent purple dress with pointed hats and Nazarenes are followed by women in black carrying candles.

Drums and trumpets of the solemn music playing and occasionally someone spontaneously sings a sad "Saeta" dedicated to a float as it made its way slowly around the street. This is one of the most solemn festivals Semana Santa in Spain.

Leon

Semana Santa processions in León are very popular, with more than 15,000 penitents through the streets. During the "procession de los Pasos", which lasted nine hours, about 4,000 penitents carry 13 "floats" around the city.

The most solemn moment (although it might not sound) is El Encuentro, or "Reunion", when the floats depicting St. John and La Dolorosa face each other and the penitents move as if they were dancing together.

Linares

The largest procession in Linares is a night procession ten, the "procession del Nazareno. The biggest "paso" in the Semana Santa Linares represents the Last Supper. This group of sculptures is the masterpiece of a great Spanish sculptor named Victor de los Rios.

If you take a holiday custom in Spain at Easter and incorporate one or more of these areas, you're bound to learn a few things about this festival, works of Spanish art and religious devotion to the country's serious Semana Santa and putting on an amazing show.

There are many good arguments can be made to support this notion. While, Seville embodies much of the history of Spain and his roots. Plus it's 2000 years of history, this city was once called "Hispalis" by the Romans, was occupied by the Vandals and Visigoths from the north, was taken and occupied by the Moors, and later conquered by the new Christians. In addition, the location of Seville in the history of the world was created when it became the focal point and the controller of all trade with the Spanish territories in the Americas.

Seville is a great city - both in its population and area. It is Spain's fourth largest city, home to over three quarters of a million citizens, and spread across more than 2500 square kilometers of the Andalusian landscape. In any other city, this whole story and this vast area would be to intimidate the visitors. It seems like just too much. But in Seville, large pieces of Spanish history, and a large sample of the culture of the city, can be found in less than one square kilometer of distance for almost any visitor.

beginning at the town hall, town hall, located on the east side of the Plaza Nueva, and less than one square kilometer of this place, here are some samples of what you see:

The Cathedral of Seville: A spectacular cathedral, rebuilt in 1401 was one of the largest in all Europe. The Capilla Mayor, the main altar in carved and gilded wood, and the art of providing chalices Sacristia los Goya are two of the main attractions.

La Giralda: This tower has become an icon of Seville. Named after the weather vane on top (El Giraldillo), the tower offers a spectacular view over the city. It is easier to install than you might think: it was designed with gentle ramps to allow horses to climb the tower.

Museo de Bellas Artes: One of the finest collections of Spanish art is here. It has collections of Zurbaran, Cano, Murillo, El Greco, and Valdes Leal, among others.

Casa de Pilatos: At some point, this was alleged to have been based on the design of the house of Pontius Pilate. Although this is not accurate, the house is nevertheless one of the finest amalgams of Seville Muslims, Christians, Gothic and Renaissance.

Torre del Oro Torre del Plata: The two towers of the 13th century were originally part of the defenses of Seville.

The Reales Alcazares: The resort was built by a succession of caliphs Moor from 913, and then developed by the Christian kings in the 14th century. It has a bright dome, stucco developed, and patios and fascinating gardens.

Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza: This features the oldest bullring in Spain and still houses the most famous bullfighting festival around the world.

Jardines de Murillo gardens and orchards: that were once the domain of the Alcazar. The monument to Christopher Columbus is particularly noteworthy.

The craft market (Plaza del Duque de la Victoria): A great place to inspect samples of local crafts, handiwork, and folk art. The market is open Thursday to Saturday.

Patio San Eloy: In Japan, there is sushi. In Seville, there are tapas. Tapas are the Spanish variation mixing gastronomy with art. A perfect example of the social sector, Seville fine and tapas will be available here.

There is more to Seville, of course. But this sampling of Seville is just a bit of what visitors can find in one square kilometer. However, imagine what the city could do with all of its 2500 square kilometers!

Despite its popularity with tourists, Seville retained its old world charm with Mediterranean and has a solid reputation among travelers for lively parties, fascinating historical treasures and some of the best tapas you could hope to experience in Spain. But Sevilla influence on Spanish culture as it is known today extends far beyond architecture and chorizo. This ancient city reveals the evolution of one of the largest arts and iconic worldwide known Spanish flamenco, and while today it can be enjoyed virtually anywhere in Spain, it is in Seville you have the best chance to experience this art form at its purist.

Stirring, emotional and expressive, flamenco is a style of dance or song, or instruments, but a merger of all three together. It is an art form more than 200 years, which is still popular today, telling the stories of Spanish history through dance, song and guitar. Historians argue about the exact point in history when music was evolving in flamenco has emerged, but what remains a certainty is that it happened in southern Spain, in the Andalusian region of Seville, which remains today the center.

At first he started with the song. It was the voice of the persecuted Gypsy community in southern Spain, which came about during the late 1400s from India and Africa. Upon their arrival, and in particular the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition, shortly after, the gypsies as a race has suffered greatly. Accused of witchcraft and dishonesty, they distrusted, and therefore discriminated against by the larger community. They were unable to find work, own land or integrate into society. They lived a secular existence, and met them socially. Late at night, members of the collection would sing songs of lamentation and grief, expressing the difficulties of life they face and the desperation they felt.

Each song has been transmitted orally from generation to generation, without the prior written music and performed individually by each performer. Over time, the singer would later be accompanied by the sound of a guitar, the movements of a dancer, or both. The subject of the songs gradually expanded to include themes such as love, death and celebration, even politics and humor, the development of flamenco styles that exist today. musical influences from Arabic, Jewish and even the local Andalusian culture has gradually become part of the sound. What began as a voice, was later thickened by the sound of the guitar, the movements of a dancer accompaniment, and later, the applause from the audience, which accentuates the rhythm of the music.

In truth, flamenco is an experience not to be missed, and if your itinerary includes a trip to Seville, you're likely to find a range of options that can help you discover the magic and emotion of the experience. A visit to the Museum of Flamenco Dance (Museo de Baile Flamenco) is a good place to start learning about the history of dance. Open from 9:00 to 7:00 p.m., visitors have the chance to see a collection of audio and visual presentations, permanent exhibitions, and teaching studios, spread over three floors of this multi-million dollar opened in 2006. They have seasonal performances in the evenings during summer, or you can attend courses and workshops that run throughout the year.

Those interested in dinner and drinking with performances of flamenco could verify El tablao Los Gallos in Plaza Santa Cruz, for 20 euros including drinks. Or El Arenal Flamenco Tablao near the arena in a restored 17th century building. They offer shows with or without dinner from 30 euros. There are many bars that offer flamenco evenings, sometimes even for free. They are a great way to discover flamenco without having to pay more than what you drink. You can choose to attend a music or dance only. There are many bars in the old part of town like El Tamboril Carboneria or La in Santa Cruz.

Every 2 years, the Biennial of Flamenco Festival is held in Seville, attracting artists from all over Spain and tourists from around the world. The next show is scheduled for 2008, usually around September. Those who are fortunate enough to attend a live, impromptu performance, late at night in a smoky bar on the outskirts of the city are likely to find a moving experience, as close to traditional flamenco you can get. The idea that flamenco is nothing beyond the theatrical performance of flamboyant colors and dance could not be further from the truth. Real Flamenco is not only heard but seen by the public. Some say that flamenco can not be seen, but must instead be felt. Experience of communication between artists and audience. A conversation through music.

Seville, Spain is considered the "artistic, cultural and financial Southern Spain. People who live in this beautiful historic city of Seville are known (men) or Sevillanas (women). Although Seville is located far enough from the coast, yet only about 20 feet above sea level. There was once a major seaport. In fact, the explorer Ferdinand Magellan was awarded the ships he used to travel the world in Seville. It was also the recipient of much more money in the New World.

Because of the wealth is more in the Americas, Sevilla drew a sizable population of the 16th and 17th centuries, making it the largest city in Spain to 1649 when the Great Plague of Seville struck. Although the city has grown in importance in terms of population and economy, it is still recognized as a center of Baroque art.

Seville is now home to many tourist attractions. The cathedral was built between 1401 and 1519. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and medieval world, richly decorated and contains some gold. It is surmounted by a statue of the most famous city, Giraldilla, symbolizing faith. Facing the cathedral is the Alcazar, an old Moorish palace which took 500 years to build. Its fleet consists of beautiful gardens in a mixture of Arab, Andalusian, and Christian styles. River is the Torre del Oro, a watchtower built by the Almohad dynasty. It was used as a defensive barrier on the river, pulling a heavy chain from its base across the river to stop boats to pass through.

With so many wonderful things to see, it's no surprise that Sevilla is a magnet for tourism. Fortunately, there are many accommodations for tourists in Seville, including hostels, hotels and apartments.

Hostels in Seville

Examples of hostels in Seville include:

Hostal Redes: This hostel is located within walking distance of most major attractions in Seville, including cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts. There are eight double rooms and one single room available for guests. Three of the rooms have an extra bed. Each room has a bathroom with shower. Including Internet access, laundry, TV room, public telephone, and other amenities.

Hostal Nuevo Suizo: Located in downtown Seville, Nuevo Suizo offers breakfast, Internet access, and reservations for shows and sightseeing. It is within walking distance of monuments, museums, supermarkets and shopping area of ​​the city.

Oasis Backpackers Hostel Sevilla: Although you can make reservations for this hostel, they always keep the beds for walk ins. It is located in the center of the cultural and historical area of ​​Seville and within walking distance of many attractions. The terrace on the roof, not only has a beautiful view over the city, it also has a pool!

Hotels in Seville

Examples of hotels in Seville include:

Hesperia Sevilla Hotel: This hotel is five minutes from the railway station and 15 minutes from San Pablo International Airport. It includes parking, restaurant, bar, solarium, jacuzzi and indoor pool.

Eurostars Regina Hotel: This room 90, 3-star hotel is steps from the historic center of Seville. It is near the Museum of Fine Arts and the Cartuja Park. Services and facilities include parking, bar, newspapers, breakfast buffet, car rentals.

Best Western Hotel Cervantes: The Best Western is located a short 10 minute walk from the cathedral, the Giralda Tower, and the theme park Isla Magica. It has glass ceilings and crystal was completely renovated in 2006. Services and facilities include parking, elevator, breakfast buffet, Internet access and soundproof rooms.

Seville Apartments

Examples of apartments in Seville include:

Alameda Sevilla 2: This apartment can accommodate up to three people in a typical Seville house in the center of Seville. It's on the Plaza Alameda de Hercules, which is a park with many bars, restaurants and shops by. Includes bathroom with shower, living room, kitchen, TV, radio and computer with Internet access.

Peral56Sevilla: This apartment is located in the historic center of the colorful neighborhood Macerena. It is in a quiet street near the main street that hosts the Feria market every Thursday. In this market, the street is lined with booths where merchants sell a wide range of articles. The apartment can accommodate up to four and includes a washing machine, air conditioning, television and maid service.

Holiday house in Seville: This is a three-storey house which was completely renovated, but still has details of the 19th century. It can accommodate up to seven years, so it is perfect for a family or a group tour. It is close to tourist attractions, with a short 10 minute walk to the cathedral.

Although accommodation in Seville tend to be slightly more expensive than in other regions of Spain, you get a better rate if you visit the winter months. However, with some thorough research, you can also find places that offer cheaper rates in July and August due to warm temperatures pursuing tourism flows.

As its name (Sunny Coast) implies, on the Costa del Sol is the perfect place to spend your holidays, with days of sunshine filled most of the year and an average annual climate of about 18 degrees. The area is full of popular vacation spots and hidden, animation to the private sector.

Visitors to Costa del Sol traditionally stay in all types of accommodation available, from luxury hotels to budget hostels. Another common form of accommodation is the apartment because it allows visitors to more independence and flexibility to plan their vacations around their own needs. Some hotels and apartment complexes offer pools or private beaches, others are great golf courses.

The time will come, of course, when visitors may want to get up from the pool or take a break from the golf course to experience some of the beautiful areas around the Costa del Sol. It is time to consider one of the many interesting day trips that leave from key points in the region and visitors to see some of the wonders that this area has to offer.

A popular day trip is by luxury coach from the city of Granada. Visitors will be seduced by the Arab culture and architecture that makes this city so famous. Interesting places to visit in Granada are the Alhambra Palace, the Palace of Charles V and the gypsy quarter.

What would a trip to the Costa del Sol is a value without a visit to the capital of Andalusia, Seville? This city is a real jewel, and you'll be blown away by the atmosphere, culture and beauty of Seville. There are many historic buildings and places of interest to take this city to give you enough time to take it all in.

Perched atop the steep road winds from the city of Marbella is the historic town of Ronda. This area is one of the focal points of any type of excursion in the region by tourists and you will most likely be surrounded by fellow tourists throughout the year. But this is not a reason not to visit Ronda, which promises great historic buildings and an authentic age-Arab in the region of Andalusia. Do not forget to visit the oldest bullring in Spain in this city!

For visitors who are after a day of duty-free shopping, nothing is quite an excursion to Gibraltar Island. Here, tourists can enjoy shopping for many luxury items, including the famous glass Gibraltar wear, leather goods, wines, silks and even electrical goods. In addition to purchasing, Gibraltar offers some beautiful views and places of interest for those who want to go easy on shopping. There are also day trips to the Rock of Gibraltar, where visitors can examine his famous story, learn about its strategic importance and visit some of his very interesting sites like the caves of San Miguel and Reserve monkey .

Finally, a fun one-day excursion can be taken to Nerja and Frigiliana. These two villages are the essence of Andalusian culture and allow visitors to really experience what this part of the world is all about. Do not miss the famous prehistoric caves of Nerja. As you can see, a trip to Costa del Sol you can be as varied as you want it. You can spend your entire trip lounging by the pool, but you'll miss a lot if you do not have at least one or two day trips to beautiful outer regions.

Jerez Mini Guide:

Jerez Airport is located five miles north of the town of Jerez. The airport is served by a number of airlines including low-cost airline Ryanair, Iberia, Air Berlin, Spanair, Air Europa and Air Plus. If driving from the airport to the city, follow signs on the highway without AP4 Cadiz.

Things to see and do in Jerez:

The city of Jerez is located in the Andalusia region of Spain. The beautiful city offers a range of cultural activities and attractions which makes it the ideal destination for a city break. Jerez is famous throughout Andalusia and Spain to be the home of flamenco dance style, especially the bulería exciting, a native of Santiago and San Miguel neighborhood. Well worth a visit is the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco, which houses a museum, gallery and cinema dedicated to flamenco culture.

Must-do guided tours in Jerez Gonzalez Byass include / Tio Pepe bodega tour. Otherwise, you can attend a performance by horses of Jerez Cartujano famous Real Escuela Andaluz del Arte Ecuestre. Looking for adventure? Why not rent a car rental and explore the surrounding countryside of Andalusia? The town of Arcos de la Frontera is a road trip. It is famous for its traditional pueblos blancos (white villages), charming whitewashed villages and towns, just waiting to be discovered. El Puerto de Santa Maria is another player worthy. The city offers seafood upscale and there is also the possibility of taking the ferry to Cadiz.

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Eating Out / Nightlife / Accommodation in Jerez.

Thrifty travelers in search of cheap eats will be pleased to learn that the budget bites are widely available as tapas. Local specialties include pork shops in Jerez Oloroso sherry marinated and braised artichoke hearts. Top tapas bars to look out for include: El Gallo Azul C / Larga, Bar Juanito Pescadería Vieja and Cafeteria Arenal at Plaza Arenal.

Jerez has a lively nightlife, including authentic flamenco Tablaos theaters, tapas bars and nightclubs. Jerez offers a range of accommodation options, catering to all needs and budgets. If money is no object, check into the five star Hotel Villa Jerez, located just outside of Jerez in a converted Andalucian mansion. Room rates here start at a steep € 139 per night. cheap hotels are widely available too for thrifty backpackers. Nuevo Hotel Cabelleros 23 is such an institution, with room rates starting at a very reasonable € 38 per night. The two-star Hotel Plaza del Ancla the nipple is a bargain alternative budget.

Jerez is a beautiful location of the base of relaxation for tourists who want to travel further around Andalusia. Day trips can often be budget-savers rather than budget-breakers. Depending on where you want to go and how much you want to spend (or not spend), it is possible to make a day trip on a shoestring budget - and you can spend less if you hang out at the pool for a day! The following are only three possible trips that are recommended for people staying in and around Jerez.

Arcos de la Frontera

Perhaps one of the most spectacular of Spain and located pueblos blancos beautiful (white villages), Arcos de la Frontera is built along the edge of a cliff overlooking the river pure Guadalete below. Just a 30 km drive from Jerez, Arcos de la Frontera is well worth visiting - larger than other pueblos blancos Andalusia, but with the same magical charm and quiet atmosphere of the old world. The labyrinth of winding streets of the old town offer a magnificent contrast of vibrant new. The downtown area is pedestrian (be prepared to park your rental car and walk for about ½ mile), houses are sparkling white, the streets are clean and the view from the cliff top are truly remarkable.

The city itself is the attraction, rather than any building or monument - explore the twisting alleys, visit the Moorish Castle, and a coffee in Plaza del Cabildo (the city's main square) before a trip to point view of the city to observe the magnificent views of Morocco. You do not need to spend much on this day, with the only real expense being food / drink, which can be bought cheaply at some of the city's restaurants and cafes. A delightful day trip and the budget of the environment.

Seville

Driving from Jerez to Seville will take between one and two hours depending on traffic. Seville is a wonderful city. Colorful, vibrant and full of all the stereotypes typically Spanish, you can imagine, Seville is a mix of festivals and flamenco, tapas and toros, sangria and siestas ... Drive to Seville for a day exploring its many ancient sites, parks, museums, art galleries, activities and attractions. Do not miss the Cathedral of Seville / Giralda Tower, the Triana bridge or the Alcazar. There is a park called Isla Magica theme here, which provides a high-octane thrills for the adventurous among you.

For food, if you're eating on a budget or looking for cheap eats (or even if you are not, in fact), go for tapas. Seville is credited as being the city that invented the snack bar at low cost in Spanish, and there is a phenomenal choice and great value in the many tapas bars at low prices throughout Seville.

Tarifa

Over 6 miles of sandy beach Immaculate greet you in Tarifa. Lush, unspoilt countryside abounds here. Windsurfing, kite surfing, surfing regular old. Bird watching, horseback riding, climbing and hang gliding. Oh, and about the perpetual good weather. Tarifa is a fishing town on the beautiful Costa de la Luz, and is full of attractions, facilities and sites that will keep a tourist interested and amused for at least one day, if not a full week .. .

Windsurfing and kite surfing are two very popular pastimes in Tarifa, as the wind capital "offers perfect conditions for these sports. If you prefer a day trip quieter, do not worry, because Tarifa will not disappoint. Tapered cobblestone streets, wrought rejas to develop iron and bonus of colorful flowers make the town a wonderful place to stroll. Visit the Miramar Gardens for a magnificent view on the shores of Morocco, and if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can take the ferry to Tangier from Tarifa. It is pretty cheap, and you'll pay less for a slower boat, but we recommend splashing out and getting the fast ferry, which is still cheap enough to satisfy even those on a budget.

Spain is among the most popular tourist attractions in the world for holidays. There are several reasons for the popularity of Spain amongst the tourists, including the history preserved, beautiful places, parks, monuments and excellent climate. This article looks at some of the best sites that are must-see during your visit to Spain.

1. Seville:
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and is popular for a variety of monuments that are built on Moorish architecture. Famous landmarks include the Giralda, the cathedral of the city and the famous tomb of Christopher Columbus. Other locations includes $ see Alcazar and Plaza de Espana.

2. Castilla y Leon:
This is the autonomous community in Spain and there are nine provinces in this community. Almost every province has a lot to see and there are many tourist attractions in these provinces. Some provinces include popular Leon, Segovia, Burgos, Avila and Zamora.

3. Salamanca:
Salamanca is a small town, but it is marked as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The architecture of the place is beautiful and kept very well by the authorities. This city has an ancient history and you need to visit historic sites like the University, Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral (old and new) and social center. This city is famous for its ancient history and the University of Salamanca in Spain.

4. Avila:
This is another city in Spain which has World Heritage status by UNESCO. This city is famous for the wall that was built in the 11th century. This wall has many towers and 9 gates. The place is also famous for the variety of sites, shopping areas and eateries. Avila Cathedral and Art Museum are the places to look at Avila.

5. Segovia:
This place is also declared as World Heritage by UNESCO. The most popular place here is the Roman aqueduct. This was built 2000 years ago and 20400 the number of stones were used in its construction. It's wonderful and well-preserved monument of Segovia. Lady of the cathedral is also a wonderful and to see the site in this city. This cathedral is built on the Gothic style and beautifully decorated with ornaments. There is a beautiful castle and in Segovia, which is known as the Alcazar de Segovia, this fortress is also not to be missed in Segovia.

You must visit the best places during your holiday trip to Spain.